Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Achilleas Petrakos (Chief Science Officer) in Side sim: Iyun and Petrakos Greek Holodeck

Posted by Ensign Iyun Riani (Scientist) in Side sim: Iyun and Petrakos Greek Holodeck

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Achilleas Petrakos (Chief Science Officer) in Side sim: Iyun and Petrakos Greek Holodeck
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snips)

For a second Ria stiffened, but before she knew it, she had wrapped her slender arms around Achilleas. And for at least this moment in time she forgot to worry about what was and wasn’t proper. As she sat there with her arms around him, it was almost as if she was clinging to him for dear life. Her body was slightly shaking with silent sobs.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas wrapped his own arms around her and squeezed her tightly. He also began to lightly rub Ria’s back while softly saying “It is okay. You’re okay.” over and over. He knew she just needed time to get all of those bundled up feelings and insecurities out into the open. That he could help ease her homesickness filled his heart with warmth and helped to ease his own.

CSO Petrakos

As time passed, Riani stopped crying bit by bit and her body started to slowly relax. Never fully, but back to it’s normal state of tension. Eventually she let go of Achilleas and sliding slightly backwards on her chair, moved out of the embrace. She looked up for a moment and her eyes, red and puffy, briefly met his. “Thank you,” she whispered. “And I’m sorry; for … for crying and spoiling your shirt … for everything.”

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas smiled softly in response while he gently reached up to wipe away a lingering tear from her cheek. “Don’t be sorry, please. My shirt will dry and nothing is spoiled. Your well-being is my concern not just as your department head but also as a friend. We both happen to be away from home for an extended period for the first time, so we have to stick together. I want you to come to me whenever you get homesick and need a shoulder. I’ll always be available.”

CSO Petrakos

As his fingers touched her cheek, Ria instinctively turned her face away. Somehow that gesture felt more intimate than the embrace had. Her cheeks turning pink, she brushed with her hands over her cheeks. “Thank you, Sir. I appreciate that,” she replied softly and a little shyly. Now that she had calmed down again, she started to feel confused over what was happening. Was it okay that they had hugged? Or was it crossing some lines? Shouldn’t she have managed to keep her emotions in check? Wasn’t her behaviour unbecoming of an officer? Questions over questions made her mind spin and she wasn’t sure (anymore) what to think or do.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

The Sir was like a hammer to Achilleas’ mind and a reminder that he shouldn’t get too close with her. He pulled his hand back then stood up. “I’m sorry if I was being inappropriate Ensign. I tend to leap to action before I think a lot and my instinct was to just help.” He moved back and sat on his side of the table again, he then ran his hands over his own face to clear up his expression before he looked back at Ria, “Do you think some dessert might cheer us both up?”

CSO Petrakos

“Oh … please … no … I,” Riani stuttered. She wasn’t even sure what she was trying to say. She felt guilty, though, for making him feel uncomfortable. Taking a deep breath she tried again. “I don’t mind that you gave me a hug. It felt good. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.” She dropped her gaze and stared at her hands in her lap instead. She didn’t know what to do, what else to say. And the question about desserts hadn’t even registered with her. She was far too preoccupied replaying the last few moments in her mind.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas rapped his knuckles on the table softly to draw back her attention before he waved his hand in a placating manner. “I shocked myself after pulling you into a hug without realizing what I was doing. It seemed like we both needed it but I also understand it could be construed in an overly familiar manner. I’d like to say that we’re becoming friends but I took liberties with you that I shouldn’t have. I mean what I said when I offered to be available for when you’re homesick though.”

Ria looked startled when Achilleas rapped his knuckles on the table and blinked a couple of times before saying anything. And even than it was just a soft, “Thank you.”

He offered another smile, maybe only slightly pained, “This is really my first time having subordinates and being reminded that while I’m human, or a person who has feelings and faults, I can’t be that way a lot of the time in this position.”

CSO Petrakos

“I don’t think there was really anything wrong with you giving me a hug. Though I am sorry I put you in a situation like that and then acted weird at the end,” Riani whispered. “It’s a new situation for both of us,” she added thoughtfully. Looking down again, she fidgeted with her fork a little while the hint of an almost wistful smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist